Doreen Wanco is one of the true top producers among Realtors ®. She is ranked in the top 1% of all Realtors® in the United States, thanks to a whopping $68 MILLION Dollars in total sales volume! That’s no small feat in the North West Georgia market, where the local home prices are usually well below the national average.

From the 1990’s to 2008, Doreen averaged about 6 million dollars in total sales volume each year. Even today, in the midst of the worst housing market since the great depression, Doreen and her “WOW-Wanco” team are top ranked producers, with over two million dollars in yearly sales volume, good enough for a number 8 ranking for total sales for Exit Realty in the state of Georgia.

We recently sat down with Doreen to discuss her business secrets. Here is a little bit of that interview:

RealtyBizNews.com: You are ranked in top 1% Nationwide: How did you reach that ranking? What is your secret?

Doreen: “Consistency – my motto is the golden rule, treat people with honesty and integrity. No matter what, you must think of your clients first. Contrary to popular myth, being a great real estate agent is not a numbers game, it’s a people business. I specialize in building relationships. Many of my clients did business with me 10, 15, or even 20 years ago. Today these clients are sending their kids to me, as well as their friends. “

“They trust me so they want to do business with me. I cultivate relationships for the long term. The dollars come as a result of this. It’s a long term plan. People know whether you’re there to make a dollar or you’re truly looking after their best interests.”

“I also place a great emphasis on education and the need to stay current. I usually get around 300 hours of CE every four years, not just the required 24 hours. Things are changing fast and it’s very important to know what is going on in this business. Knowledge is power and real estate agency is a very detailed business. You’ve gotta know what you’re talking about.”

RealtyBizNews.com:How has technology impacted your business? What technology, if any, has been most important to you?

Doreen: “The I-Phone! – I never dreamed of how important things like texting could be. With the new mobile technology, I can sit in my car and access property info right on the spot. And the internet made it possible to do business anywhere. I no longer have to return to the office to check property data. I recently worked with a client who is located in California, and we did everything online.”

RealtyBizNews.com: Have you made any changes in your business since the housing crisis started?

Doreen: “Yes, I’ve gotten my REO certification and gone through an extensive program to become a Certified Georgia Real Estate Instructor. I’m also much more involved with property management. I’m always adjusting to where the market is going, through education and taking the market as it comes. I decided to sharpen my skills regarding short sales and foreclosures after the housing crisis started. For continued success as a Realtor® You have to be willing to be adaptable and diversified.”